The widow of a Derry IRA man says the refusal to pay compensation to her children for their father’s unrelated paramilitary death meant they were “losing out twice.”
Ann-Marie McCallion, from Carnhill, was speaking ahead of a debate due to take place at Stormont later today during which unionists will object to compensation payments to the relatives of former paramilitaries.
Mrs McCallion’s husband, Peter (40), died after he was punched by a man in the Collon area of Derry in December 1998. He sustained fatal head injuries in the incident. He had walking home with friends from the Collon Bar when the incident occurred outside a nearby fast food takeaway on Racecourse Road.
Peter McCallion was 17-years-old and living with his parents in Shantallow when he was convicted of an IRA attack on British soldiers in the Shantallow area in 1978. Following his release from prison there was no evidence to suggest he was still involved with the IRA.
His widow, Ann-Marie says denying compensation meant her children were losing out twice.
Mrs McCallion has been denied access to the criminal injuries compensation scheme because of the seriousness of her husband’s convictions.
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